Woman attacked on campus
Justin Clay
Posted on: 10/15/09 Section: News
A female student was assaulted Tuesday night on Tennis Hill Drive between 8:40 and 8:50 p.m.
According to PCC Chief of Police Peter Michael, the woman was walking down Tennis Hill Drive when she thought she heard footsteps from behind her. When she turned around she saw a man she described as about 5 feet 6 inches, between 160 and 200 pounds and wearing a hooded sweatshirt, police said.
The woman described the attacker as having a dark complexion with a goatee and with his hood on. The man allegedly grabbed the woman and pushed her against a wall. While holding the victim, the attacker pulled out a box cutter, which he held to her neck and told her not to yell, police said.
The man ran his hand down her side onto her buttocks. The woman then pushed the man away at which point a struggle ensued, said police.
During the struggle, the woman's face hit the concrete wall and she sustained a scrape on her cheek, said police. Also during the struggle, the man cut the woman with the box cutter on the left side of her chest, between the chest and shoulder area.
The woman managed to free herself and ran eastbound towards the center of campus. Campus police were contacted and a report of the incident was taken.
"We will contact the Pasadena Police Department to see if they have similar incidents or descriptions of suspects. And we will also notify the surrounding campuses to see if they have had similar incidents," said Chief Michael.
President Lisa Sugimoto sent a campus-wide email asking everyone to exercise great caution on the campus.
"Campus Police are increasing their level of vigilance. Additionally, to the extent that we look out for each other, we can do a great deal to enhance campus safety," said Sugimoto.
"We continually strive to maintain the safest possible campus, but as we are open to the city streets, we must always maintain our guard. Anyone who sees suspicious activity, please call Campus Police," said Sugimoto.
Michael noted that this is the first incident of this kind to happen on campus for quite some time.
"During this time of season, it starts to get darker earlier in the evening. We're asking students and staff to be reminded of the difference of the darkness of the hours and to be aware of their surroundings," said Michael.
"As a safe practice, everyone on campus should walk in groups to and from buildings, and to and from cars," said Michael.
Michael also reminded all students and faculty that Campus Police offers escorts across campus. To request an escort, students and staff are encouraged to call (626) 585-7484.
"We need to look out for each other," said Rick Van Pelt, interim vice president of student services.
"If we look out for one another, particularly in the evening hours, we would increase our own feeling of personal safety," he said.
According to PCC Chief of Police Peter Michael, the woman was walking down Tennis Hill Drive when she thought she heard footsteps from behind her. When she turned around she saw a man she described as about 5 feet 6 inches, between 160 and 200 pounds and wearing a hooded sweatshirt, police said.
The woman described the attacker as having a dark complexion with a goatee and with his hood on. The man allegedly grabbed the woman and pushed her against a wall. While holding the victim, the attacker pulled out a box cutter, which he held to her neck and told her not to yell, police said.
The man ran his hand down her side onto her buttocks. The woman then pushed the man away at which point a struggle ensued, said police.
During the struggle, the woman's face hit the concrete wall and she sustained a scrape on her cheek, said police. Also during the struggle, the man cut the woman with the box cutter on the left side of her chest, between the chest and shoulder area.
The woman managed to free herself and ran eastbound towards the center of campus. Campus police were contacted and a report of the incident was taken.
"We will contact the Pasadena Police Department to see if they have similar incidents or descriptions of suspects. And we will also notify the surrounding campuses to see if they have had similar incidents," said Chief Michael.
President Lisa Sugimoto sent a campus-wide email asking everyone to exercise great caution on the campus.
"Campus Police are increasing their level of vigilance. Additionally, to the extent that we look out for each other, we can do a great deal to enhance campus safety," said Sugimoto.
"We continually strive to maintain the safest possible campus, but as we are open to the city streets, we must always maintain our guard. Anyone who sees suspicious activity, please call Campus Police," said Sugimoto.
Michael noted that this is the first incident of this kind to happen on campus for quite some time.
"During this time of season, it starts to get darker earlier in the evening. We're asking students and staff to be reminded of the difference of the darkness of the hours and to be aware of their surroundings," said Michael.
"As a safe practice, everyone on campus should walk in groups to and from buildings, and to and from cars," said Michael.
Michael also reminded all students and faculty that Campus Police offers escorts across campus. To request an escort, students and staff are encouraged to call (626) 585-7484.
"We need to look out for each other," said Rick Van Pelt, interim vice president of student services.
"If we look out for one another, particularly in the evening hours, we would increase our own feeling of personal safety," he said.
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